Wheel bearing questions

[Lockmasterjoe]

Have a 16’ Scamp wondering how often wheel bearings need grease?
How to lift trailer to do greasing?
Have grease zero on bearing, does grease ever need cleaning and repacking?

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Lockmasterjoe

Have a 16’ Scamp wondering how often wheel bearings need grease?
How to lift trailer to do greasing?
Have grease zero on bearing, does grease ever need cleaning and repacking?

If your Scamp is less than 20 years old or so it likely has EZ Lube spindles.
Go to the Dexter site for a good video on the proper way to use EZ lubes for repacking between disassembly..
How your trailer is used, how often, and how many miles per year under what conditions would determine how often grease or manually repack.


Generally, you should grease about once a year using EZLube and manually repack whenever you service or inspect the brakes.


The grease in your hubs is adequately displaced and removed when following the EZ Lube procedure, and completely replaced when manually repacked.
Almost all grease today is lithium based and it is important to consistently use a compatible grease of the same type (not necessarily same brand or color)

Be sure that your trailer is on a firm reasonably level surface and chock the opposite wheel and the tongue jack if it has a wheel then...
An ordinary jack can be used to lift the trailer, placing it on the frame just aft of the axle. If you plan to get under the trailer or remove the wheel, it would be wise to add a jackstand and/or drop your stabilizers while performing this work.
Avoid placing your hands on the tire tread from the 9 o'clock to the 3 o'clock position as that could cause injury should the jack slip.


Check your hub and tread temperature at fuel stops and keep your tire pressure up.

[Raspy]

Dexter recommends re-packing bearings at 12,000 miles or annually. This seems excessive, but if you do it a couple of times in that interval you can begin to see if it is way too often or not and adjust the frequency. Each re-pack should or must include new seals.

If you recently bought a used trailer, you may not have any idea when the bearings were serviced last, so it's a good idea to do them and get a fresh start. While there you can inspect the brakes. The brakes on my Oliver were about half gone, or slightly more in 20,000 miles, which could mean only two bearing service intervals. So, if you are not sure, do them.

While in there, if you see any sign of grease getting passed the seals, service the bearings and replace the seals. Grease on the brake shoes will mean they have to be replaced.

On trips, when stopping for fuel after a long stretch of highway, touch the hubs occasionally to see if one might be hot. Back at home, you can also jack up a wheel and check for bearing play by pulling and pushing on the top of the tire.

[Rick In Mn]

https://www.dexteraxle.com/resources...-z-lube-system

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Rick In Mn

https://www.dexteraxle.com/resources...-z-lube-system

LIPPERT SUPER LUBE AXLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s34pBejcQn0

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Rick In Mn

https://www.dexteraxle.com/resources...-z-lube-system

LIPPERT SUPER LUBE AXLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s34pBejcQn0

The above videos are only for axles with a rubber plug covering a zerk. Bearing buddy caps are useless on anything but a boat trailer.

[Stephen_Albers]

It's cheaper to replace the Dexter axle with one with sealed bearings that require no service for 100,000 miles.

[ShelbyM]

I'd be interested in seeing comments from anyone who has used the Nev-R-Lube on a small trailer. It's always annoyed me that while we don't have to be concerned about auto wheel bearings for well over 100,000 miles, trailer bearings still have to be messed with annually (more or less.) I'd like to think the Nev-R-Lube would be a solution but on another forum the person who is most experienced in working on Casitas has reservations. I wonder if the Dexter set up somehow falls short of what is used in autos. Maybe smaller or less well sealed? I have no idea but I'm curious.

[Stephen_Albers]

The only reason Dexter supplies junk for bearings is because trailer builders insist. Demand better and they will supply 100,000 mile sealed bearings in all but the smallest sizes. Sealed bearings pay for and entire new axle and then some over time in maintenance cost savings, not to mention the inconvenience of trying to shag a lube job on the road every 12,500 miles.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

I'd be interested in seeing comments from anyone who has used the Nev-R-Lube on a small trailer. It's always annoyed me that while we don't have to be concerned about auto wheel bearings for well over 100,000 miles, trailer bearings still have to be messed with annually (more or less.) I'd like to think the Nev-R-Lube would be a solution but on another forum the person who is most experienced in working on Casitas has reservations. I wonder if the Dexter set up somehow falls short of what is used in autos. Maybe smaller or less well sealed? I have no idea but I'm curious.

There were no sealed bearings on the steering axle on my2001 Ranger and no need to RePack them except when servicing the brakes.
Did it at 100,000 miles, sold it at 190,000.
My 1995 Mustang and my Pinto are 25 and 40 years old respectively and have had the same service schedule without bearing failure.
These spindle designs are similar to a Dexter 3500 pound axle.

I have changed dozens of sealed hub bearings on the steering axles of light trucks and front and rear on FWD cars during that time.


The issue with trailers is long term outdoor storage without common use.
Trailers which are towed regularly develop fewer problems since they are brought to temperature and lubricated regularly.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Rick In Mn

https://www.dexteraxle.com/resources...-z-lube-system

Pretty much says it all!

[rick in arvada]

Since 2004, I have been using the EZLube procedure each spring and having the hubs repacked whenever I have a new set of tires mounted. I also have the brakes checked at new tire mounting time. Has worked well for me.